RNLI Loch Ness

11/09/2026

The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives at sea. But recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about our purpose and our lifesaving work in the Channel.

As a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in some cases, physical abuse. This is unacceptable.

The RNLI’s people represent the very best of society. For over two hundred years they have dedicated themselves to rescuing people they’ve never met before, without judgment, fear or favour.

We are tasked by HM Coastguard to help those in distress, and we'll do so whenever, wherever and whoever they are.

We launched 9,058 times in 2025. Only 109 of those launches were to those in distress in the Channel – 1.2% of our total rescue work. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is then taken into the care of the relevant UK authorities.

To those who stand with the RNLI, thank you. For more than two hundred years, we've saved lives at sea around the UK and Ireland, and that commitment remains unchanged.

09/09/2026

On Sunday, our volunteer lifeboat crew launched following reports of capsized kayakers in Loch Ness and made their way towards Fort Augustus.

Due to changeable conditions around two nautical miles north of Fort Augustus, two kayaks had capsized resulting in four people in the water. Fortunately, a local commercial tour vessel operated by Cruise Loch Ness had reached the kayakers and rescued all four casualties by the time the lifeboat arrived. Three members of the crew boarded the Spirit of Loch Ness vessel to support the HM Coastguard paramedic who had been winched on to the vessel and the casualties who were very wet and cold.

The HM Coastguard helicopter then identified another eight kayakers stranded on the south shore of Loch Ness who had also ended up in the water whilst making their way to shore. The lifeboat diverted to locate and rescue the additional casualties and return all eight people to Fort Augustus where further paramedic crews were waiting. The lifeboat then returned to gather debris and personal belongings from the loch whilst also securing the kayaks to trees on the shoreline.

This was a challenging four-hour rescue with multiple casualties in different locations but we’re grateful to Cruise Loch Ness and HM Coastguard for their support in ensuring there was a positive outcome for all involved. We wish all casualties a speedy recovery.

25/08/2026

On Sunday, we were tasked at 21:16 to assist a 38ft yacht that had found itself in difficulty while trying to anchor in Urquhart bay and had wrapped its anchor trip line around its prop.

When we arrived on scene, a member of the crew boarded the vessel to assess the situation and check the welfare of any casualties. The yacht’s crew were concerned that the anchor wasn’t holding and the vessel had no propulsion.

We carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action and decided it was the safest option given the risks related to the casualties if the vessel was to get into further difficulties.

The crew safely towed the yacht into Urquhart Bay harbour for mooring overnight before returning to the lifeboat station. Another positive outcome for all involved!

23/08/2026

Another year, another brilliant Glenurquhart Highland Games Loch Ness!

Thank you to everyone who came to see us, donated, took part in our competitions, bought some RNLI goodies and cheered on our crew in the kit challenge and Tug O' War.

Our Tug O' War team came in an impressive third place against some tough competition! 🥳 🥉 They also kindly donated their £100 winnings to the RNLI. Well done team!

21/08/2026

It’s almost Games Day in Drumnadrochit! 💪🏆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Come and find us in Blairbeg Park tomorrow during the Glenurquhart Highland Games Loch Ness. Have a go at our fun competitions to be in with the chance of winning a bag of RNLI goodies and a visit to our lifeboat station. Try to guess the Lucky Welly or play Hunt the Welly to find eight hidden wellies in the Games field!

At 4pm, you can also cheer on our crew during the Crew Kit Challenge and guess how long it will take them to get into their kit and run to the lifeboat in the middle of the main arena! Lucky guesses could win a family ticket kindly donated by Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises.

Our water safety team and volunteer crew will also be on hand to chat about all things RNLI and answer any questions about volunteering with us. Come and say hello! 👋

20/08/2026

Last week, we joined forces with Loch Ness Cruises, Castle Cruises Loch Ness and The Beastie Boats for a special eclipse training exercise!

Multiple members of the crew rotated on the lifeboat to simulate a multi-vessel search and more than 30 of our family and friends also took part as passengers on the three tour vessels.

This was not only a valuable training exercise for the crew but also a fantastic opportunity to join forces with commercial vessels on the loch. We’re extremely grateful to Loch Ness Cruises, Castle Cruises Loch Ness and Beastie Boats for taking part in many of our training exercises and for the additional support they often offer the crew when we are tasked to callouts.

A special mention should also go to Rachel who recently passed out as an Inshore Lifeboat Navigator. She coordinated all four vessels perfectly which was no easy task!

Although the weather conditions didn’t allow for a clear view of the eclipse, the exercise was a great evening for the crew and our family and friends.

RNLI volunteers are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and without the support of our families and friends we wouldn’t be able to continue the RNLI’s vital work to save lives.

14/08/2026

On Tuesday evening, we launched to assist a single-engine motor boat with engine failure.

The calm conditions on the loch allowed the crew to quickly locate the vessel and ensure everyone on board was safe and well. Once on scene, we carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action to assist the vessel and it was determined that towing was the safest option. The vessel was towed to Dochgarroch Lock and safely moored with assistance from HM Coastguard shore crew.

The shout was also the first joint callout for husband and wife Aron and Madison who joined us in 2023 after relocating to the Highlands from Essex.

They said: ‘This shout was a pretty special one for us. We had our first callout together as husband and wife, heading out on the lifeboat as crew side by side. We’ve both been part of the RNLI for a few years now, but being able to respond together for the first time was something really special and a moment we’ll both remember.

'Being able to volunteer together and play our small part in helping the community means a great deal to both of us. This shout was definitely a proud moment, but ultimately it was all about working together as a crew and being there when we were needed.’

16/07/2026

With more hot weather forecast this week, the RNLI and Water Safety Scotland are teaming up to remind everyone to stay safe while enjoying the water 🌊

If you are keen to feel the cool embrace of Scottish water during the warm weather, then remember, warm air does not mean warm water. Scotland’s water remains cool when the sun would say otherwise.

Refresh yourself on how to stay safe in cold waters by learning Scotland’s Water Safety Code:

🛑Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers

👫Stay Together, Stay Close

📞 In an emergency, call 999

12/07/2026

Some of the crew recently visited SSE’s Foyers Power Station for a joint familiarisation and water safety session.

The visit included a tour of the operations and equipment, and the crew discussed potential scenarios with the SSE team and how best to coordinate a response to an incident within the vicinity of the power station.

Thanks to SSE for a great opportunity to build strong local knowledge of one of the key sites within our area of operation.

10/07/2026

On Monday 6 July, our volunteer lifeboat crew launched to assist a sailing vessel with engine failure.

We were tasked by HM Coastguard to locate a sailing vessel that had lost contact and was reportedly having engine trouble somewhere between Invermoriston and Fort Augustus.

The crew headed south towards Fort Augustus to locate the vessel and positioned the lifeboat in the middle of the loch with enough visibility to see both shorelines, which was challenging with high gusts of wind, one-metre waves and a lot of spray from the water.

As we passed Invermoriston, we heard from HM Coastguard that they had made contact with the vessel again at the same time that we located the vessel on the loch. Once on scene, we carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action to assist the casualties on board. Given the risks related to the casualties in the challenging weather conditions, it was determined that towing was the best course of action.

The vessel was towed to Fort Augustus and safely moored. We were glad to see a positive outcome for all involved before returning safely to the lifeboat station.

Four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station were tasked at 19:25 to launch the RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat and made their way towards Fort Augustus.